Bill Mutz to become Lakeland's next mayor

LAKELAND — Bill Mutz will be Lakeland's next mayor, the ceremonial head of the city and a first among equals on the seven-member commission.

Mutz, 63, campaigned on his deep resume of civic and professional experiences in the city he adopted 21 years ago. He won with a large majority of votes, 72 percent, or 9,774 votes, handily defeating three competitors in the seat being vacated by Howard Wiggs.

Christopher Diaz came in second with 12 percent of the votes. Patrick Jones garnered 9 percent and James Green received 6 percent. Of 62,365 registered voters, 13,527 cast a ballot in the race.

"I'm elated and humbled and really honored and excited that we had a clean campaign between the four of us," Mutz said, "which was important to me. I talked to each of the other candidates and I appreciate the congeniality and encouraged each of them" to remain active in the community.

Mutz had been the only candidate for mayor to oppose an amendment that would have given the office more authority under a so-called "strong" mayor-commission system. With the failure of the amendment, Mutz is spared having to face a major reorganization of the city government immediately upon taking office.

"It's a big relief," that it failed, he said. "And I think it's a big relief for the city. I truly believe I'll bring strong leadership without having to have the strong-mayor structure, and I think that will allow us to have continuity an excellent city manager has provided and will provide going forward."

However, "I respect the effort a great deal by Gregory (Fancelli) for being an advocate for something he believed in so strongly," Mutz said. "I'm really interested in making sure we take his enthusiasm and take his sincere desire for the city to be representative and make it so."

Fancelli was the principal donor to the strong-mayor campaign, which has been discussed publicly for the greater part of three years.

Mutz and candidates in two other races settled Tuesday night, Scott Franklin for the Southeast District and Stephanie Madden for At-large, were endorsed by a small group of some of Lakeland's most influential business leaders, including Publix Super Markets Vice Chairman Barney Barnett and Jack Harrell of Harrell's, a fertilizer manufacturer.

All three led their opponents in fundraising, Mutz collecting $68,525 through Nov. 2, and all won Tuesday night.

The Southwest District race will be settled Dec. 5 in a runoff election between Michael Dunn and Larry Durrence.

Mutz said he believes the two commissioners-elect, and whoever wins the Southwest runoff, is dedicated to making Lakeland a "model community" in a time of national political divisiveness.

"The task that excites me the most is I believe all of those commissioners, no matter how the other is settled, are people who are dedicated to that," he said.

One of the first orders of business will be making sure to "work hard to attract new businesses and provide jobs," he said, which will be a community-wide effort.

"I think it's an exciting time in Lakeland. In my mind, the best is yet to come."

Christopher Guinn can be reached at Christopher.Guinn@theledger.com or 863-802-7592. Follow him on Twitter @CGuinnNews.

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